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Ms Julie Blackburn
RM, RN, GAICD
Chair, as elected by the Board November 2020
Appointed Board Director, September 2025.
Julie Blackburn is a respected leader in health care, education, and governance. A Registered Nurse and Midwife, she lectures in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Canberra. With over 15 years of experience as a non-executive director, Julie has contributed to boards across private health insurance, veteran and family health research, and drug and alcohol programs. Her multidisciplinary background informs strategic decision-making and values-driven leadership. Julie is passionate about creating environments and opportunities that promote health and wellbeing for people of all ages, and is widely recognised for her integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to foster meaningful engagement across sectors.
Ms Darlene Cox
BA Dip Ed, Grad Dip AppEc, B Ed
Appointed Board Director, October 2023.
Darlene is an experienced advocate, executive, and board director. She has been active in the health consumer movement and community sector since the late 1990s and been the Executive Director of Health Care Consumers’ Association since 2008. Darlene has extensive skills and experience in consumer engagement, health literacy, clinical and corporate governance, policy and research, and regulation of the health workforce. She has a long-standing interest in improving the quality and safety of heath care and the delivery of person-centred care, and has contributed to the work of the Australian Medical Council, Australian Commission for the Safety and Quality of Health Care, Ahpra, NPS and the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Steven Baker
BComm (Acctg), ICAA, MIIA, GAICD
Appointed Board Director, March 2021
Steven has served on numerous Boards, Committees, Audit and Finance Committees as a member and/or Chairperson, in addition to participating in many as an observer as either the internal or external audit provider. Steven has over 30 years in professional services delivery in Australia and has worked for Ernst & Young, WalterTurnbull Pty Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Protiviti and currently for global business RPS Consulting. Steven has many years’ experience providing professional consulting services, as well as board and committee experience within the health and education sectors specialising in finance, governance, risk and assurance.
Dr Vik Fraser
Consumer Director, elected 2023 AGM
Dr Vik Fraser has been an advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights since they were 17 years old. They are passionate about the social determinants of health, and the role that human rights has in building good health care. The intersections they experience in their own life, including as a queer person with a hidden disability, drive Vik’s understanding of some of the complexities of health access and health needs across the community. Vik is also the Executive Director of A Gender Agenda, and has had a working life that has spanned education, research and government sectors.
Dr Jessica Tidemann
General Practice Director, elected 2023 AGM
Dr Jessica Tidemann is a specialist GP working in roles across clinical practice, medical education and government. She is a lifelong Canberran and completed her medical training in the ACT and surrounding regions. She has also worked in several roles for the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing over a period spanning 20 years.
Jessica is an active member of the general practice community, committed to the provision of quality and effective primary health care in the ACT. Jessica was an invited member of the CHN GP Advisory Council prior to becoming a member of the Board and has held several other professional positions, including Board Director, GP Registrars Australia and multiple roles with the RACGP.
Ms Rachel Fishlock
Appointed Board Director, February 2024
Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and is the CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Rachel has over a decade of experience in the health sector including the optometry industry and community-controlled sector at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Rachel was recognised by Lifeline Canberra as the 2022 Rising Woman of Spirit for her outstanding community spirit and resilience in the face of adversity, through continuing to advocate for reforms to ensure other children do not experience systemic neglect.
Mr Adnan Asger Ali, MACP
Primary Health Care Professional Director, elected 2025 AGM
Adnan Asger Ali is a physiotherapist, researcher and health care leader committed to integrated, patient-centred care. An Australian Physiotherapy (APA) Titled Musculoskeletal & Pain Physiotherapist, he is Director of Accelerate Physiotherapy and a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, researching health care access for rural and remote populations. Adnan chairs the APA’s Musculoskeletal National Group and the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists Business and Finance Committee, bringing strategic oversight from diverse healthcare systems. His governance experience spans multiple national advisory councils and clinical panels, emphasising evidence-based decision-making and stakeholder collaboration. He is passionate about building health care systems that truly place patients at the centre of their care journey, and is recognised for his collaborative leadership and commitment to health equity across the Capital region.
Dr Chris Dickie, MBChB, FRACGP
General Elected Director, elected 2025 AGM
Dr Chris Dickie is a specialist GP working in Canberra and the surrounding regions. His work spans clinical practice, medical education, research and advocacy. Originally from Scotland, he has lived in Canberra since 2018. Chris is President of General Practice Registrars Australia, a Lecturer at the ANU Academic Unit of General Practice, and holds a ministerial appointment to the Canberra Region Medical Education Council. He also serves on the NSW & ACT Faculty Board of the RACGP. Chris is passionate about strengthening primary care and supporting our workforce in the ACT.
Mr Artur Durbanov CACompany Secretary
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